Arriving at Timen Gate Sect

The setting sun painted the mountains a warm glowing orange color. The trees also fought to bathe in the glory of the sun's rays, while some just wanted enlightenment, a chance to transform.

  Surrdon watched the forest shrouded by a certain darkness beneath his palace from the comfort of the arched balcony. The scenery was breathtaking, nothing like he had ever seen before. From the multicolored birds to the city in the distance. His, city.

He now owned an entire territory.

There were subjects to rule.

An army to command.

And, a body people adored.

He gripped the rail firmly and stared up at the sky. "I'll live my life the best way I can?" He shouted to the world, letting them know that he was coming. And when he did regain all the powers of the previous Demon Lord, he would shock everyone.

      "My Lord," a male spoke and Surrdon threw his gaze to the side.

Standing by the balcony doors was the chief butler, who was also the Demon Lord's messenger.

Surrdon studied him for a minute, noting down any distinctive feature on the second male. His hair was a dull red color that matched his eyes and was as tall as Surrdon. His appearance was pleasing to look at, enhanced by the monocle on his left eye.

Volvoxos swallowed, silently wondering why Surrdon was staring at him so bluntly.

    "My Lord, the applications that were sent to both Timen Gate and Duanpei Sect have been received. However, only Timen Gate Sect responded."

  "What do they need?"

"They agreed to enroll your guest as long as he or she, passes the entry test."

To keep his secret safe, Surrdon had lied to Azron(the blue-haired girl and his personal servant) that the application was for a friend of his who needed to learn some skills for defense.

"What is the entry test?"

Volvoxos' eyes widened. Time Gate Sect was popular, every being knew of their test. Or maybe Surrdon was testing him?

Volvoxos gave a short head bow, "The legendary Stone of Life, My Lord."

That was not in the game, dammit!

Why were so many things omitted from what he had played before?

The only applicable knowledge was the Sects his enemies were from, like the Broria Pavilion which had five demigods.

The Demon Lord was supposed to be on par with a god, but now he couldn't even defeat a stupid navigator. There was so much to learn and such little time. If those demigods came to learn of his powerless state, they would attack Drolis and level it in one night.

"Okay, if that's all, you may leave."

Volvoxos gave a deeper bow and red mana suddenly started swirling around him till it consumed his entire body.

Surrdon swallowed envious.

When would it be his turn to use such magic? How long would it take to get to a thousand mana level?

"Anya?" He called tearing his gaze from the already gone Volvoxos to fix it back on the sunset. The little beast materialized beside him.

She ignored Surrdon and laid her body on the rail, enjoying the warmth of the last sun rays.

"What is the Stone of Life?"

She yawned sluggishly and turned to face the sunset but slipped and fell off the balcony.

"An-" Surrdon half-yelled but remembered that the damned snake could fly. He casually glanced down to the garden below and saw his lazy system snake fly back up.

"I need to work on where I sleep," Anya said as she uninvited sat on Surrdon's shoulder. "Hey, you! When are we leaving this place? I miss the tender deer meat in the human lands."

Surrdon snorted brushing her off his body.

"We'll leave as soon as you start behaving like you're supposed to."

Grumpily, Anya went back to lie on the rail. "I'll do that when you're as you were supposed to be."

"Anya! Answers!"

She rolled her eyes disrespectfully, but replied, "The Stone of Life is used to test a person's internal force. Internal force is what creates mana and mana enhances skills."

Surrdon sighed defeated. Why was everything so complicated on his first week in Agrerea?

"How is my internal force right now?"

Anya smiled. "It's just so-so."

"You- never mind. As long as I can pass the test, I'll find ways to raise my level as soon as possible."

"Good. It's exhausting having to look at a weak handsome Demon Lord. Seriously, your looks should match your power."

Surrdon sent a hot scowl her way, wishing he had the ability to shut her up.

"Give me an analysis of my loyal servants."

The analysis took at least twenty minutes, after which Surrdon chose two demons to overlook his affairs while he was gone.

Volvoxos and Ragreth.

His excuse for his absence was a long retreat which was to be kept as a secret from the ministers. Such a perfect lie. One that would work the same as his actual mission...growing powerful.

--------------------------------

It must have been mid-day.

The scorching sun pinned on the sky was torture to Surrdon as he walked up the countless stairs that wound up the mountain. Teleporting or flying in as an outsider was a death sentence, which rendered Azron useless. He was only keeping her around for his protection. After all, she was a level five practitioner.

"Should we take a break, My Lord?" She asked innocently after noticing the layer of sweat covering his forehead. It trickled down his temples, sticking some hairs to his skin.

"No. Keep moving," he answered breathlessly and took another step forward.

All the muscles in his legs were screaming for mercy. His face was flushed from exhaustion and heat, but he continued ascending the wide stairs.

Five minutes later, the towering double gates came into sight.

"Look Master, we're almost there!" Azron squeaked happily and hurried to walk by his side. "Let me help-" she slid her arm under his shoulder, "-you."

Surrdon halted and looked down at the girl. She looked as energetic as she was before they began the ascension. This stamina was what he was after. And he felt ashamed and envious of her stability.

"No."

He shrugged her away from him and raised his eyes to the gigantic granite pillars at either side of the gates.

Just a little more.

Guarding the entrance, were two disciples standing at either side. They eyed each other upon spotting the two strangers approaching.

"Were we expecting any guests today?" One asked.

His partner shook his head, "I'm not sure. There wasn't any communication of such."

"Oh, okay."

Surrdon noticed the questioning gazes the two males guarding the entrance were giving them. He closed his mouth and swallowed the pain exploding from his lungs.

With Anya's help, he hid his horns and covered his demonic scent. To them, he would appear as any other human arriving to improve his strength. A weak one at that.

"Stop!" One of the guards ordered raising his spear at them. "We are not open to visitors. Please go ba-"

Azron rushed forward holding a golden letter in her hand. "We have an invite."

The guards exchanged a glance once more. Why had the elders not given any instructions regarding these visitors? But then again, they had a golden invitation.

It was a rare card that came straight from the Chief.

"What do we do?" He asked his partner.

"They have the golden card."

"Um...hold them back. Let me contact Elder Li."

"Okay, be quick. We can't afford to offend them. They must be from a prominent background."

His partner rushed inside the gates and brought forward his silver token that had his name inscribed on it. He placed his thumb on the token, transferring some mana into it till it lit up in a white color.

"Elder Li, we have two strangers at the gate holding a gold invite. What should we do?"

Silence.

"I'll be there to receive them," an old man's voice came from the token, a transmission from the other side.

The white glow faded and he slid the token back where it had been in his uniform.